Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
1358. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if addiction treatment centres are collaborating with community organisations to improve the social determinants of health, such as housing, employment and education, that affect recovery outcomes. [46477/24]
View answer1361. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health how the Government is addressing the root causes of addiction, such as poverty, trauma, mental health issues and homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46480/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1358 and 1361 together.
People from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds face a higher prevalence of physical disease, mental illness, and substance use, and are more likely to die prematurely. These health inequalities are rooted in the social determinants of health, where social exclusion worsens physical and mental health and increases vulnerability to problematic drug and alcohol use. Furthermore, poverty and social exclusion undermines the effectiveness of healthcare services by creating additional barriers to timely and integrated treatment.
The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 - 2025: Ambition, Goals and Commitments is a whole-of-government strategy to reducing the number of people in consistent poverty and to increase social inclusion for those who are most disadvantaged.
Additionally, the Government is committed to eradicating homelessness. Housing for All, the national housing plan, sets out the Government policy for reducing and preventing homelessness by 2030. This will be achieved by a housing-led approach as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. Eliminating homelessness will fundamentally address the social determinants of health for people who are homeless. The Housing First programme tackles long-term homelessness among people with complex health needs, including those in addiction, by providing them with stable tenancies as well as health and social supports.
The National Mental Health Promotion Plan is an important step towards achieving the vision for Healthy Ireland where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and well-being to their full potential, and where health is valued and supported at every level in society. There is compelling international evidence that focusing on mental health promotion can have positive effects on well-being as well as reducing risk for mental health difficulties. It responds to the need for population level mental health promotion, and it seeks to strengthen individuals and the communities where they live while addressing the structural barriers to good mental health at societal level.
The Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-25 has placed a priority on addressing health inequalities. The main action of which is the delivery of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme which is operational in 20 areas of highest deprivation across the state. The programme is a partnership between local authorities, local delivery partners and the HSE and deliver locally tailored interventions focusing on the social determinants of health.
I and the Government are committed to addressing the social determinants of health through cross-government policies on poverty, homelessness, mental health, Travellers and Roma.
